The BMW E89 Z4 is the chassis code of the current second generation BMW Z4. Unlike its predecessor, the BMW E89 Z4 features an automatic retractable hardtop convertible roof like the Mercedes SLK, and can be raised and lowered in under 19 seconds. Since the BMW E89 Z4 had a retractable hardtop, there is no longer separate roadster and coupé versions of the car. The BMW E89 Z4 is the first BMW to be designed by two female designers - Juliane Blasi (exterior) and Nadya Arnaout (interior) in 2006.

A total of €130 million was spent from 2007-2009 in expanding the plant for production of the BMW E89 Z4. Unlike its predecessor (the BMW E85 Z4), the BMW E89 Z4 is produced in the Regensburg plant, and not in Greer, South Carolina. The BMW X3 took its place, which made the Spartanburg plant the main production centre for the BMW X family. Production of the BMW E85 Z4 was discontinued in mid-2008, and the BMW E89 Z4 was produced from February, 2009 onwards.

The BMW E89 Z4 was officially announced on 13 December 2008 and was unveiled in the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit alongside the MINI Convertible. The BMW E89 Z4 was then launched in markets on May 2009. The Life Cycle Impulse for the BMW E89 Z4 was implemented on all models on March 2013.

The BMW E89 Z4 was unveiled to the public in 2009 in the North American International Auto Show alongside the MINI Convertible. Early BMW E89 Z4 models included the sDrive 23i, sDrive 30i and the sDrive 35i. The sDrive 23i and sDrive 30i models then ceased production in 2011, and were replaced by the sDrive 20i and sDrive 28i. A sDrive 35is model was introduced in 2010, and is a more powerful model to the sDrive 35i and featured an overboost feature. In March 2013 (in the Life Cycle Facelift), the sDrive 18i engine was introduced to the Z4 lineup.

The BMW E89 Z4 is the first BMW to be designed by two female designers - Nadya Armamout and Juliane Blasi who designed the exterior and interior respectively. Unlike its predecessor, the BMW E89 Z4 features a two-piece electro-hydraulic retractable hardtop with a lightweight aluminium shell and not a traditional soft top convertible. The BMW E89 Z4 also features an electronic handbrake.

Exterior Comparison*

Length

Width

Height

Wheelbase

BMW E89 Z4

4244mm / 167in

1790mm / 70.5in

1284mm / 50.6in

2496mm / 98.3in

BMW E85 Z4

4113mm / 161.9in

1781mm / 70.1in

1302mm / 51.3in

2497mm / 98.3in

Difference

+111mm / 5.1in

+9mm / 0.4in

-18mm / 0.7in

-1mm / 0in

Interior Comparison*

Legroom

Shoulder Room

Headroom

Trunkspace

BMW E89 Z4

42.2in / 1072mm

53.3in / 1354mm

39.1in / 992mm

310 (180)dm3

BMW E85 Z4

42in / 1067mm

52.5in / 1334mm

37.3in / 947mm

220 (200)dm3

Difference

+0.2in / 5mm

+0.8in / 20mm

+1.8in / 45mm

+90 -(20)dm3

Miscellaneous*

Fuel Tank Capacity

Turning Circle

Fuel Economy**

BMW E89 Z4

55litre / 14.5gal

10.7 m / 35.1 ft

11.8/100km

BMW E85 Z4

55litre / 14.5gal

9.8 m / 32.2 ft

13.1l/100km

Difference

=

+0.9m / 2.9ft

-1.3l/100km

*Dimensions are gathered from the BMW E89 Z4 sDrive 35is and the BMW M Roadster

The iDrive display retracts up and down. If the car does not have iDrive, the container can be used as extra storage.

As a result of BMW's Efficient Dynamic's program, the BMW E89 Z4 features Brake Energy Regeneration as a standard feature on all models. All BMW E89 Z4 sDrive 18i, 20i and 28i models equipped with a manual transmission, also get Start/Stop technology, which can be toggled on or off. The Start/Stop technology is not available for the Z4 sDrive 35i and 35is models.

All BMW E89 Z4's also feature Driving Experience Control as standard. Using a rocker switch, different modes including COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ modes can be selected on the centre console. The different modes adjust the driving characteristics including the response of the engine and DSC stability system, the shift times of the automatic gearbox, the responses of the Servotronic function and the mapping of the electronically controlled dampers.

When braking gently in a fast bend, the standard Cornering Brake Control (CBC) increase vehicle stability. CBC works by using asymmetric brake pressure control in order to create a stabilising counterforce. Door reinforcements also protect the driver and passenger during a side impact. Diagonal crossmembers in doors adds extra strength. The BMW E89 Z4 comes with four airbags including front driver and passenger airbags, and head and upper body airbags that cushion the head, ribcage and pelvis area.

The bumpers have reversible aluminium impact absorbers at the front and steel impact absorbers at the rear. These bumpers can withstand impact of up to 2.5mph (4km/h) without damage. Run flat tyres are a standard feature, and the Tyre Pressure Monitoring system notifies the drive via the instrument cluster. An acoustic will sound if tyre pressure loosens quickly.

A Rollover Protection System is also standard on all BMW E89 Z4 models. One of the systems features include a high-strength tubular steel integrated into the roof and A-pillars.

The inside of a Z4, with a cupholder which was available on the earlier models.

The BMW E89 Z4 is available in 3 different trim levels - sDrive, M Sport and Z4 35is in price order (cheapest to least cheapest). The Pure Traction Design package and Pure Fusion Design package are not trims, as they can be fitted with any of the 3 trims listed before.

The BMW E89 Z4 can be ordered with Comfort Access, where the keyfob is not required when locking or unlocking the doors, windows and trunk. Comfort Access also allows you to open or close the convertible top or windows using the keyfob. Unlike other BMW models you do not need to press a ribbed pattern on the door handle to lock the doors, but to press on the area below the key insert (for the driver side).

Z4 sDrive 18i models get Automatic Single-Zone Control Air Conditioning and Panama Cloth Upholstery. Extended Kansas leather can be ordered as an option, only on the sDrive 18i. sDrive 20i and 28i models get Automatic Two-Zone Control Air Conditioning and Rain Sensor with Automatic Headlight Activation. Z4 sDrive 28i models get an Automatically Dimming Rear View Mirror as standard. sDrive cars equipped with a manual transmission get Automatic Start-Stop engine technology.

Options for the Z4 35is include Adaptive M Sport Suspension (which is only standard on the Z4 35is), Alcantara or Leather, Extended Alcantara or Leather with the Pure Traction Design package and Exclusive Nappa Leather with the Pure Fusion Design package. Auto Start/Stop technology is unavailable and an Optimum Shift Indicator are for cars with a manual transmission.

The BMW E89 Z4 35is comes exclusively with a computer-controlled overboost function. The boost function activates after every gear change with full throttle, and lasts for 7 seconds between 1500 and 4500rpm. During that time frame, the car will have reached 500Nm of torque for 1-2 seconds, an increase of 50Nm (37lb-ft) over the 450Nm (332lb-ft) without overboost. The full 500Nm comes in 3rd-7th gear only.

A Z4 sDrive 35i and 35is can be differentiated from other models by looking at the exhausts. If there is are singular exhaust pipes on both sides, then the car is a Z4 sDrive 35i or 35is model.

The BMW TwinPower Turbo technology package for the new BMW Z4 sDrive18i includes twin-scroll turbocharging, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-Vanos continuously variable camshaft control. An identical version of this technology package is also used in the engines – likewise 2.0-litre units – under the bonnet of the BMW Z4 sDrive20i and BMW Z4 sDrive28i. These engines can also be ordered with an eight-speed sports automatic gearbox with shift paddles on the steering wheel as an alternative to the standard-fitted six-speed manual. The automatic has been optimised to deliver better acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph).

All four-cylinder variants of the new BMW Z4 meet the stipulations of the EU6 exhaust emissions.

The revised BMW Z4 model was introduced in March 2013 onto all models. Standard cosmetic changes include LED headlights, high-gloss black surrounds for the central air vents, higher quality material for the control panel and buttons and switches and redesigned front and rear lights. The light strip ends at the vertix of the headlight, instead of stretching all the way to the middle of the height of the headlight. A new 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine was also introduced, producing 154hp@5000rpm and 240Nm(177ft-lb)@1200-4400rpm.

New optional items from the facelift includes a contrasting hardtop colour (offered in black non-metallic or Glacier Silver Metallic) and a new interior trim strip called 'Exquisite Fineline Anthracite' wood. A Pure Traction Design package and Pure Fusion Design package were two new packages introduced in the facelift, and can be combined with sDrive, M Sport and Z4 35is models. BMW Z4 sDrive 28i, 35i and 35is models are offered with Kansas leather trim, and is an option for Z4 sDrive 18i and 20i models.

First introduced in Lake Como, Italy at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on 25 May 2012, The BMW Zagato Coupé is a concept car based on the Z4 Coupé, and was made in collaboration with Zagato - the Milan-based coach builder. Since Adrian van Hooydonk and Zagato chief designer Norihiko Harada were friends, the decision was quickly made when Andrea Zagato proposed a collaboration with BMW.

The bright red exterior paint finish on the car is called Rosso Vivace, and changes colour depending on how the light hits the body. The colour spectrum ranges from a near black colour all the way to a brilliant red. The paint was first applied by the primer coat (which is made up of black application), followed by a layer of metallic silver. Then, six thin coats of the exclusively developed red shade is applied. Finally, two layers of clear coat seal in the colour.

The body of the BMW Zagato Coupé was built entirely by hand, and its new skin was tailored to fit the car’s mechanical architecture. The kidney grille of the BMW Zagato Coupé is made out of many small matt "z" letters, and the chrome “z”s are used only on the visible side of the octagons, this arrangement injects added depth into the kidney grating. The two “z”s in the air intakes and BMW badges are the only gleaming chrome elements on the BMW Zagato Coupé. A pair of air intakes integrated into the bonnet send extra supplies of air into the engine compartment. Matt colour effect can be seen throughout the car including the diffuser which has a matt edging, the exhaust tailpipes (which are positioned towards the outer edges of the rear) with their matt finish and the 19-inch five-spoke light-alloy wheels inspired by a propeller.

The car also features transparent rear panels in dark tint, a tinted rear window, horizontal lines in the instrument panel and doors and red decorative contrast stitching in the instrument panel, doors and seats.

The interior trim has a light and dark shade of gray as base colours, while red decorative stitching in the instrument panel, doors and seats brings the colour of the body into the interior. The luggage compartment also has two shades of grey, and red accents. The BMW Zagato Coupé comes with a hat bag and travel bag, and recreates the form of the double-bubble roof on the car. A “z” embroidered into the seats. [1]

The BMW Zagato Roadster is a one-off concept car made by Zagato in collaboration with BMW and was introduced at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on 19 August 2012. After the positive reaction to the BMW Zagato Coupé, Adrian van Hooydonk and Andrea Zagato soon agreed to take their partnership a step further. The BMW Zagato Roadster was created in six weeks, from the first design idea to the finished model.

Like the BMW Zagato Coupé, the roadster also has a low-set kidney grille with z-design grating, as well as focused twin circular headlights and a three-dimensional front apron shape. The headlights follow the "razorlight" concept - a LED light strip set into the matt surface above the headlights. The contoured hood with air intakes supply the engine compartment with extra air. The air outlets mirror the form of the hood vents. The silver “z” positioned below the flank vents references the BMW Zagato collaboration.

The rollover hoops are covered in brown leather.

The soft-top cover of the BMW Zagato Roadster uses a double-bubble element to extend the lines of the hood all the way to the rear. Like those of its Coupé counterpart, the BMW Zagato Roadster’s rear lights are arranged behind black tinted glass. The glass area extends in a shallow black band around the whole of the rear end. The exclusive exterior paint finish, a brilliant grey changes colour depending on how the light hits the body, and the colour spectrum ranges from dark grey to a light silver.

Alongside the black interior, a strip of brown leather wraps around the interior and extends from the instrument panel over the door sill and around behind the seats, and even incorporates the roll-over bars the latter was inspired by an aircraft wing. The brown can be seen in various areas of the interior, including the contrast stitching of the seats, the steering wheel and doors, and the centre console. [2]

This was a concept vehicle commemorating 75th anniversary of BMW 328. It included exterior and interior parts made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP); leather, matt and high-gloss black polished aluminium as well as the CFRP interior; asymmetrically designed windscreen with a recess in the middle, four wide leather straps run across the bonnet, two-part light alloy wheels with black aluminium rim and black chrome butterfly nut bearing the BMW emblem.[3]

The vehicle was unveiled in 2011 Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion and later in 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.[4]

In late 2012, BMW Motorsport set out to replace the successful M3 GT/GT2, a car which brought BMW two team and manufacturers' championships (2010 & 2011), one drivers championship (2011), back to back Sebring 12 Hour GT class wins in 2011 and 2012 in the American Le Mans Series, as well as numerous victories in the then Intercontinental Le Mans Cup (now the World Endurance Championship) in Europe. BMW turned to the successful Z4 GT3 platform to develop a LM GTE specification race car for the ALMS, and any GTE class series. The Z4 GTE uses the Z4 body, and same 4.4 litre V8 engine as the GT3 car. The drivetrain and gearbox are much the same in the two different types of Z4. The engine in the GT3 version produces around 500 horsepower, likewise in the GTE version, but the RPM limits are 9000, and 7500, respectively. Most of the differences between the two automobiles are in aerodynamics. The GT3 car has much more sophisticated aero, with a set of winglets on the front fenders to provide additional downforce. Both cars share a front splitter, while the GTE has slight modifications on the side edges to condition the airflow around the front wheels. The GT3 version also has a double deck rear wing, with the GTE car having a single deck wing. The rear diffuser is also less aggressive in the GTE car; it also has much wider bodywork in the rear of the car, with heavily modified aero around the wheel arches, front, and specifically rear, compared to the GT3.

The car was debuted at the 2013 12 Hours of Sebring by BMW Team Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing running competitively despite being a new car. Leading the GTE class at times, both Z4 GTE's encountered suspension problems with three hours to go, and went 3-5 laps down from the class leaders. The cars also showed exceptional handling, but a slight lack in straight line speed as a result. The 2013 Long Beach Grand Prix proved to be the first win for the car, with the #55 Z4 GTE driven by Bill Auberlen and Maxime Martin driving a fine race, bringing home a 1-2 finish for BMW. A second win for the #56 car of John Edwards and Dirk Muller from pole position at Lime Rock Park proved the pace of the car.

The Z4 GTE will feature in the GTLM class of the Tudor United SportsCar Championship - a merger of the ALMS and Grand-Am, debuting at the 2014 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in January.

An FIA GT3-specification car available to private teams.[5] While the production version of the BMW Z4 has a six-cylinder engine, the GT3 car is powered by a 4.4-litre eight-cylinder engine derived from the BMW M3 GTS, which produces approx. 515 PS (379 kW; 508 bhp). The weight of the BMW Z4 GT3 is approx. 1,190 kilograms (2,624 lb). In its first year of racing, the car proved competitive in the FIA GT3 European Championship as well as not only emerging victorious from the Dubai 24 Hour endurance event, but also heading to second place from a low 49th position at the 2011 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps event by the Need For Speed Team Schubert.[6]

Turner Motorsport won the inaugural 2014 Tudor United SportsCar GT-Daytona Championship with an altered version of the Z4 GT3. Drivers Dane Cameron and Markus Palttala won four races (Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen 6-Hour, Road America, and Virginia) with Cameron earning the pole position for the 12 Hours of Sebring. To compete in the GTD class, the Turner Z4 lost its GT3-spec aerodynamics, ABS, and traction control systems.